Hares will again be running for their lives this weekend as Ireland's cruel hare coursing continues. At Glin (Co Limerick) and Ennis Clarecastle (Co Clare), hares forcefully netted from the wild will be used as live bait for greyhounds. See below for information about what happened to hares at these meetings in recent years.

Ennis Clarecastle Co Clare 5/6 October 2013
Coursers state 5 hares "required assistance", 5 examined by vet, 2 died from "natural causes" as confirmed by vet, with one hare "escaped". Vet stated that 5 hares were treated for injuries, but did not refer to any deaths. No reference to post mortems. NPWS ranger confirmed 4 hares hit on day 1, 1 injured and 1 died of injuries, but did not attend meeting on day 2.

Ennis Clarecastle, Co Clare - December 8/9, 2012
7 hares were hit, 1 killed, 2 injured and 1 put down because of injuries, and one died from injuries, with vet noting that 4 hares were "sick or otherwise unfit" after coursing.

Ennis Clarecastle, December 10/11, 2011
According to rangerís report, on day 1, 5 hares were hit, with 3 dying in escape after coursing. On day 2, 7 hares were hit, 2 killed, 4 injured, 1 put down and 2 died from injuries. This amounts to a total of 8 fatalities.

ACTION ALERTS

Urge Minister Heather Humphreys to show compassion for the persecuted Irish Hare and revoke the coursing licence she issued.

SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)

Dear Minister,

I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to urge you to revoke the licence you issued to the Irish Coursing Club.

In coursing, hares suffer at all stages - during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips. Every season, hare injuries and deaths are documented.

I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and permanently revoke the licence.

Contact all your local TDs now. Demand that they urgently push for a ban on hare coursing and all bloodsports. Tell them you are one of the majority who want coursing banned. Remind them that coursing is already illegal in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Urge them to respect the wishes of the majority of the electorate and back a ban.

Find out their contact detailsPlease also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

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